Israel uneasy as Iran, powers in last-ditch bid to thrash out final deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his reservations on Wednesday from an upcoming nuclear deal with Iran, citing reports of a growing nuclear stockpile as a cause for concern.

"There are reports now that Iran continue to grow its nuclear stockpile as the negotiations proceed," Netanyahu said prior to a meeting with visiting New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully in Jerusalem.

"And if you add that to their continued development of ICBMs (Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles), their vast terror network and the fact they're supporting rocket and missile attacks against us, their activities in Yemen and the fact they violate all Security Council's resolution...they present a serious challenge to peace and security in our region," the Israeli Prime Minister said.

Last week, the International Atomic Energy Agency, a United Nations watchdog, released a report claiming Iran's nuclear stockpile had grown since the signing of an interim agreement between the P5+1 countries (U.S., Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China) and Iran in November 2013.

The U.S.-based New York Times daily reported that according to the IAEA report, the stockpile had grown by 20 percent during that period.

In response, a senior U.S. official was quoted by media outlets as dismissing that these assessments would affect the efforts to reach a final deal to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions.

In April, representatives of the P5+1 and Iran announced in Switzerland they have reached a framework agreement, adding the final agreement would be inked until June 30.

The diplomatic process came after more than a decade of debilitating economic sanctions imposed by the international community amid Iran's nuclear ambitions. Iran claims its nuclear program is aimed at peaceful purposes.

Parties have been negotiating on the drafting of the final deal throughout the weekend in Geneva, Switzerland and there are reportedly still many sticking points and gaps between the sides.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a hardliner regarding the attempts to reach a nuclear deal with Iran, claiming Iran would not abide by the details and warning against lifting the sanctions, which would use Iran for furthering its military purposes, he claims.

On Sunday, during a meeting with German Foreign minister Frank Walter Steinmeier, Netanyahu said he believes a "better deal" can be reached than that outlined in the framework agreement.

He had also reiterated Iran's alleged involvement in supporting Israel's militant opponents like Hamas and Hezbollah, stressing what he dubs as its "role in sponsoring terrorism." Endit